Saturday May 26th Pedigree Limousin Sale Report

Irish Limousin Cattle Society

Roscommon Show and Sale – Saturday 26th May 2012

A glorious May day bought the curtain down on the spring sales of the IrishLimousin Cattle Society which concluded on Saturday 27th May at Roscommon mart. This sale once again saw a continuation of the trend that has been evident at all Limousin sales with an 81% clearance rate. Prices ranged from a top of €7500 to €1800 and an average in excess of €3000. Prices achieved for bulls were up €339 from the 2011 sale at the same venue with a 100% increase in the number of bulls sold. Females were up €542 on last year’s prices.

From speaking with buyers at the ringside it was again very evident that the popularity of the Limousin breed continues to grow with many people converting to Limousin from other breeds. The main drivers people mentioned are easy calving with the calves developing into quality cattle, ease of getting cows back in calf and good milk. All these convert to more profit.

Breed Secretary Paul Sykes commenting on the sale said “We have had a very good run of sales since October right up to the sale today. Clearance rates have been consistently high and the most encouraging statistic has been the large number of animals sold. Compliments must go to the breeders, they have invested heavily in genetics and a breeding programme which has produced animals that are finding satisfaction with the market. We must never lose sight of what the market requires or the traits of our breed, easy calving, live calves, good maternal and an ideal carcass”.

Topping the Sale was Moloskey Fantastic 1 Et from the herd of Brendan Clancy, Moloskey House, Mullagh, Co. Clare. Fantastic 1 Et was awarded Senior Champion by the judge Mr. William McElroy from Dromore, Co. Down. This December 2010 Wilodge Cerberus son was from a homebred dam Moloskey Ursel Et, a Gamin daughter and came to the ring with a 5-star SBV of €107. Following sustained bidding he sold for €7500 to weanling producer Garreth Dunne, Belturbet, Co. Cavan. Speaking after the sale Mr. Dunne said “we were determined to buy him, we had been the under bidders on the top priced bull at the previous Roscrea sale, thankfully today we were successful. We think he will suit us as we like to produce top quality weanlings to sell in our local market. We already have one Limousin bull which we are very happy with, easy calved and producing premium animals, two very important criteria.”

Clooncunny Giga was crowned the Junior Reserve Champion and secured a price of €4700. Giga is a Milbrook Dartangan son, with back-breeding that includes Golfeur and Hortensia. He has five star ratings in most traits including SBV, Weanling Export and Daughter Fertility. Giga was shown by John Jennings of Williamstown, Co. Galway. After a flurry of bids Giga was purchased by an undisclosed customer.

Selling at €4600 was Maythorn General from the herd of Martin McConnon, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. General, who was placed first in his class, has five star ratings for Daughter Milk and Docility. His sire is the Ronick Hawk son Marchermore Augustus and his home bred dam Maythorn Crystal is by Highlander. General joins the herd of Co. Longford suckler producer Owen Balfe, Longford’.

First time exhibitor Leslie Hewson of Garadice, Carrick-On-Shannon, Co. Leitrim received €4250 for Ballymagirl Freddy. This September 2010 born son of Killerton Travis was awarded the Senior Reserve Champion. Freddy sold with a SBV of €84, a 5-star Daughter Fertility rating and heads to Carney, Co. Sligo to well known breeding heifer specialist Michael McMorrow.

The Castleview Virulent son Cootehall Gypsy sold for €4250. Bred by Michael O’Hara of Boyle, Co. Roscommon, Gypsy has five star ratings in SBV, Weanling Export and Daughter Milk and joins the herd of Harward O’Farrell, Roscommon.

John Abbott of Ballinalee, Co. Longford received €4200 for Drumeel G 576. Placed second in his class, this young bull had a five star SBV of €91. G 576 is a Sympa son, his dam Drumeel C 422 is an Olivier daughter. G 576 was purchased by John Forbes, Monilea, Co. Longford to run with both his pedigree and commercial herds.

Three bulls sold at €4000. First at this price was Coolrain Festin from the herd of Gearoid and Padraic Kennedy, Portlaoise. A Sympa son with back-breeding to Ronick Hawk and J38, Festin has an array of five star ratings, including SBV of €122. Festin heads to Justin Heavey, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway.

Woodview Georgie from the herd of David Abbott, Killeshandra, Co. Cavan was the second bull at this price. A Siam son with back-breeding to Pelletstown Kasper and Pelletstown Buccaneer, Georgie was placed first in his class. Georgie was purchased by Liam McNamara, Portarlington, Co. Laois.

The Junior Champion Ballykilroe Giovannt from the herd of Tommy Claffey, Ballinagore, Co. Westmeath also sold for €4000. Giovannt is a son of Ampertaine Brigadeer, his dam Baltray Dora is a Pelletstown Ulex daughter. Selling with five stars in weanling export Giovannt was snapped up by an undisclosed buyer.

The youngest bull to sell was Stragheglin Gabrial from the herd of Ciaran Bogue, Beltrubet, Co. Cavan. Gabrial who was born in May 2011, sold with 5-star SBV of €122. Placed first in his class, his dam Stragheglin Deidra is a Scorboro Regius Daughter. Gabriel heads to Co. Galway suckler producer Peter Gannon, Williamstown.

Wesley Kellett of Bailieborough, Co. Cavan received €3800 for his second prize winner Ballydreen Garson. A Fieldson Alfy son with back-breeding to Lino and Leo, Garson has a five star SBV of €117. Successful bidder on this lot was Brendan Casey, Ballymacormack, Co. Longford.

At one bid less (€3750) was Corlea Govenor from the herd of Thomas Connor, Kenagh, Co. Longford. This Tango son from the home-bred dam Corlea Crystal has five stars in most traits including a SBV of €111. Govenor was purchased by James Fitzpatrick, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.

Third prize winner Lochanboy Felix realised €3550 for John Flanagan, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo. A Mas Du Clo son out of an On-dit dam, Felix has five star ratings in most traits including SBV, Weanling Export and Docility . Felix joins the herd of Pat Molihan, Ardagh, Co. Longford.

Brian Clarke, of Bailieboro, Co. Cavan received €3400 for Tonyfoyle Ginger. This Wilodge Vantastic son from the Genial dam Honeylodge Respect ET, sold with a SBV of €76 to an undisclosed customer.

Mac’s Choice George a Rocky son from Thomas Burke, Claregalway, Co. Galway sold for €3300. George was placed third in his class and sold with five star ratings in Weanling Export and Beef Carcass. His pedigree includes Lino and Justicier. George was purchased by Thomas Hession, Athenry, Co. Galway.

The Castleview Virulent son Shannon Frazer sold for €3000. Bred by Sarah McElligott, Listowel, Co. Kerry, Frazer is a son of Shannon Beauty a Mas Du Clo daughter. Frazer came second in his class and sold with five star ratings in Daughter Fertility and Docility. Frazer heads to Co. Cavan to Francis Brady, Ballyjamesduff.

Also attaining €3000 was Mary Tarpey, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon for Boyanagh Fortino. This Sympa son is out of the Mas Du Clo dam Corlea Vicky. Fortino came with SBV of €89 and was purchased by Michael Mullaney, Four-Mile-House, Co. Roscommon.

Riverdale Fearless 1 bred by Basil Bothwell of Killesandra, Co. Cavan also changed hands for €3000. Fearless 1 is a Milbrook Tanko son out of the Ferry daughter, Woodview Penny. He sold with a 5-star SBV of €94 and five star Beef Carcass. Brendan Conroy was the successful bidder on this lot.

 

Other Leading Bull Prices:

€2800 Mary Tarpey Boyanagh Feroz to Val Gunning, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.

€2700 Rosaleen Clarke Shancrock Gene Et to Colm Dowd, Elphin, Co. Roscommon.

€2700 John Abbott Drumeel G 571 to Denis Keane, Loughrea, Co. Galway.

€2700 Matthew Fee Mullaghboy Gary to John Donegan, Ballinlough, Co. Roscommon.

€2700 Thomas Connor Corlea Gent to Thomas Corcoran, Merlin Park, Co. Galway.

€2700 Michael Reilly Beaghmore Guard to Patrick Walsh, Tuam, Co. Galway.

€2600 Stanley Scott Drumheckna Greg to James Mullins, Athenry, Co. Galway.

€2500 Padraic Golden Clew Bay Fergal to John Slevin, Moate, Co. Westmeath.

€2500 Dick Ryan Ballinamanton Gary to Thomas Cunningham, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.

€2500 Thomas Murphy Hill Top Gregory to Sean Mannion, Williamstown, Co. Galway.

€2500 Jonathan Anderson Corranhill Gordon to James Halpin, Collinstown, Co. Westmeath.

€2500 John Daly Aughross Gustavus to an undisclosed customer.

€2500 Sean Garrett Ammaghmore Gulliver to Eugene Brennan, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon.

 Females

In the female section the Tango sired Newtown Gaga from Stanley Richardson, Newtowngore, Co. Leitrim was crowned Female Champion. Born in May 2011, this young heifer came to the ring with a 5-star SBV of €92. Gaga’s dam is the home-bred Newtown Alma, with back breeding to Otan and Gamin. Gaga reached the top price of €3500 and was purchased by Co. Mayo breeder Richard Duffy, Westport.

Reserve Female Champion was Michael Grahams Liverpool Glenda. An Archibeau daughter with a home-bred dam Liverpool Destiny, her pedigree includes Milbrook Tanko and Lino. Glenda has five stars in SBV, Beef Carcass, Daughter Fertility and Daughter Milk. Glenda joins the herd of Ciaran Smith, Redhills, Co. Cavan.

Here at Irish Limousin we wish all customers of the Limousin breed the best of luck with their purchases. The Irish Limousin cattle society will be well represented during the summer at the many shows taking place throughout the country. Limousin sales will recommence in October. If you have any queries go to www.irishlimousin.com or do not hesitate to contact the society office on 025 85036.